Weather
Wakefield residents: 'Good to get a bit of normality back'
Life can slowly start returning to normal for the 2500 residents of Wakefield after their town was declared safe for now from nearby forest fires.
Nelson fire: From open flame to underground
Authorities dealing with the Tasman fire have just given their first media briefing of the day. Chief reporter Sharon Brettkelly is there. She talks to Susie Ferguson. Audio
Nelson fire: Wakefield locals back home, but wary
Wakefield residents have spent a night back in their own beds after being allowed to return home yesterday afternoon. But they have been warned to remain ready to evacuate - for days, if not weeks… Audio
Nelson fire: Dampening hot spots 'a long slog'
There's been some light rain in Nelson overnight but so far not on the Tasman fire that has now been burning eight days. About 2,500 residents of Wakefield in Tasman were able to return to their homes… Audio
Nelson fire: Wakefield residents return home
Life can start returning to normal for the two-and-a-half thousand residents of Wakefield after their town was declared safe for now from nearby forest fires. They were forced to leave on Friday after… Audio
Nelson fire: Wakefield locals head home, with warning
A Wakefield resident who was evacuated from her property for four days, says she wasn't sure if she'd ever make it home. Thousands of people in the area were given the all clear to return to their… Audio
Nelson firefighters to dampen hot spots for weeks
Firefighting crews expect to remain on the ground in Nelson for at least the rest of the month. They say the fire is yet to be contained and while evacuated Wakefield residents were allowed to return… Audio
Wakefield residents 'joyful' to be home - but leaving car packed
A Wakefield resident who was evacuated from her property for four days as bush fires burned near the town says she wasn't sure if she'd ever make it home.
Russian cold snap creates icy works of art
Residents of Russia's Urals and Siberia, where temperatures have plunged to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit (Celsius), have taken to social media to celebrate the cold.
Meteorologist Allister Gorman
Earlier today Fire and Emergency incident controller John Sutton said the prospect of 50 kilometre-an-hour winds on Sunday would put efforts to control the fire into the hands of god. Metservice… Audio
Redwood evacuee: 'It was a miracle we believe that worse wasn't done'
Nelson fire evacuee Beverly Frizelle says the fire came within a few metres of the buildings at her home in Redwood Valley.
Coastal Taranaki, Wellington residents urged to cut down water use
Residents of the Wellington suburb of Brooklyn are being asked to conserve water with cutbacks likely in the next few days.
Nelson fire: 'In the hands of God'
The Nelson fire is threatening to sweep into Wakefield in about six hours, and firefighters are bringing in drones ahead of 50km/h winds expected tomorrow that could make things much worse. Video
Record temperatures prompt water, fire restrictions
Councils across the country are urging residents to cut down on their household water usage after weeks of hot and dry weather. Audio
Wakefield residents prepare to evacuate
Wakefield residents have packed their most precious belongings into their cars, as they heed advice to be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice. Video, Audio
Central Nelson fire likely suspicious - FENZ
Resources were diverted from the Pigeon Valley fire in Tasman today to another blaze in the hills near central Nelson. Fire and Emergency incident controller John Sutton says they're treating the… Video, Audio
Little rain relief and winds to pick up as Nelson fire rages
Winds with the potential to flare up the huge forest fire near Nelson are expected to increase over the weekend, and despite a humidity increase there's little sign of rain on the tinder-dry hills in…
Extreme volatility of Tasman district fire
The massive fire in the Tasman district is volatile and growing with wind change potentially threatening homes. Light winds are forecast today but conditions are tinder-dry and the risk remains… Audio
Fire breaks out in Ahipara
Fire crews and helicopters are battling a blaze in Ahipara, near Kaitaia. Fire and Emergency was alerted to the five hectare blaze about one thirty this morning. It says four houses have been… Audio
Nelson fire grows to 2000ha
Back to the bushfires in the Tasman District which are still volatile, with homes coming under threat when the wind changes. Authorities have just given a briefing. Alex Ashton is there. Audio
